The probationary period usually means they wait that long to make you permanent and not temporary. My job now has a 6 month "introductory period" to make sure that you are a good fit for the company. My advice would be to ask A LOT about the orientation, as some places are more flexible than others - I know some places that will fire you for a screw up in the first however many days, while others may be willing to work with you.

I personally wish I had known that before hand, it may have changed my viewpoint on this particular position.

As far as the high turn over rate, that is tough. Do you know why the turn over rate is so high? Is it the patients? admin? People just moving on?! I would be a very weary bear in any case...

I worked for a place that had a high turnover rate and it didn't take me long to figure out why - the DON had targets on people's back, including mine. I went home from work every night crying and left after 2 months.

another thing to think about is that for many empoyers nowadays they limit your benefits until you are out of your probationary period. So make sure you understand when benefits will kick in (sick time, vaca hours, med/dental, etc)

Wow. I have never heard of a 'probationary' period that long. Three months is the norm for the vast majority of healthcare employers in my neck of the woods unless there is an extended training program that must be completed before you are a 'real employee'... the only 6 month probationary period I know of is associated with a 6 month Peri-operative training program.

Thing is, at any time during the probationary period, the employer can kick you to the curb without having to prove "just cause for termination" as outlined in their HR policies so this is cause for concern. Be sure you have a very clear understanding of all the potential consequences of such an arrangement before agreeing to it.

State agencies and facilities often work a little differently than "regular" facilities/employers. It is often the case that the probationary period is long because getting made a permanent employee is a big deal -- it's like getting tenure, you basically can't get fired unless someone sees you trying to murder a patient. They're pretty much stuck with you, for better or worse, once you're a permanent employee, so they're pretty particular about who gets that designation.